Pontefract suffered an agonising loss in a thrilling eight-try encounter against Malton, going into the last ten minutes with a two-point lead only to concede a try in the last play of the game and thereby having to be content with two losing bonus points instead of the five they deserved.

Up front the two sides were evenly matched, with each pack winning their own put-in at the scrum and throw into the lineout. But in open-play, it was a tale of two contrasting systems. Malton preferred the pick-n-go, inching up-field in a tight and disciplined unit, like a 1970’s John Deere tractor on the A64.

In contrast, Pontefract looked more like Michelangelo than Damien Hurst: with Cooke running the ball out of defence; Liam firing miss-passes left and right; the pack looking to off-load; the centres manufacturing overlaps for Josh Milthorpe to exploit.

It was no fluke that all of Pontefract’s four tries were scored by the backs. Will Cooke, known for his uncompromising defence, continued his wonderful attacking form with a well-worked effort helping Josh to a brace. Pontefract has not played with such ambition since Marcus Langley’s era, nor had such class and pace out wide since Mick Spears retired, it’s a joy to witness.

But what a pity. Head coach Craig Fawcett wants to win this league and get promoted. This defeat dents that ambition, and the five league-points deduction hasn't helped.

Finally, congratulations to First XV debutant Declan Lewis who, as front row replacement, came on in the 25th minute and off in the 26th. Had Malton given post-match awards to any of the three opposition teams that played on Saturday, Dec would have been in with a shout for one of them.